Wimbledon in Focus
Wimbledon in Focus
Sally and Jennifer from Love Wimbledon on everything you need to know about Wimbledon Town Centre
With Sally Warren, Adviser in Place, Sustainability and Marketing and Jennifer Watters, Head of Marketing & Events.
Tell us about Love Wimbledon Business Improvement District.
Sally – “Funded by the businesses in Wimbledon Town Centre, we are a small team of five (mainly part time) led by our CEO Craig Hurring, with the ambition to make a better Wimbledon where businesses thrive, people visit and communities engage. We invest nearly half a million pounds a year on events, placemaking, cleaning, security, business services, sustainability projects and much more. Your readers will probably know us for things like Big Screen Tennis, the Station Christmas Tree, monthly and Christmas markets and all the Love Wimbledon marketing and promotion of the town centre.”
What do you enjoy about your role?
Sally – “We are so lucky to be working here, every day is different and we get to see tangible results from so much of what we do. I’ve lived in the area for over 30 years and it’s great to be part of a team that really cares about a place, we all go the extra mile to make things happen.”
Jennifer – “I love working with the business community in Wimbledon and supporting them in achieving their goals, whether it’s brand awareness or marketing our programmes and the town centre to help them attract and retain employees.”
What changes are taking place in the town centre?
Sally – “It’s been an extraordinary couple of years here, footfall is surging, bucking national trends, New Wimbledon Theatre had one of its best pantos ever and as for the food scene – we’ve recently seen independents including Bobochacha, Oy Bar and Ramen Danbo choose Wimbledon. Let’s not forget the arrival of Sostrene Grene and the refurbishment of Curzon, M&S, Itsu and Joe and the Juice. With the new hotel opening on Wimbledon Hill this year and the creative hotel now on site, Wimbledon is booming.”
Tell us about exciting things coming up in the next few months?
Jennifer – “After taking a break for the winter, the Love Wimbledon Market returns 28-Feb/1-March and runs the first weekend of every month – a sure sign that spring has arrived. I look forward to seeing some of our long-standing traders (some who have traded for over 10 years!) and meeting new faces as well. Our market has been a real launching pad for several local businesses, which is something we’re incredibly proud of.”
“Each summer, Wimbledon Town Centre transforms for the Wimbledon Championships fortnight as tens of thousands of visitors come through the station to watch the tennis. It’s such an exciting time — seeing the shop windows dressed up and feeling the buzz around the town makes it my favourite time of year. Love Wimbledon hosts a Big Screen on The Piazza, a free event for visitors to relax on one of our deck chairs and watch the tennis. You never quite know who might turn up either — last year, Andy Murray made a surprise appearance as part of the Walkers Shortbread activation, which was a real treat.”
What has been your favourite project you have worked on in the BID to date?
Sally – “Whether it’s being behind the Railway Path Wombles Mural, ensuring Wimbledon celebrates the tennis (some of you may remember the days with no big screen, hanging baskets or banners..!) or initiating the UK’s first annual high street Sustainable September campaign – it’s difficult to say!”
Jennifer – “I have worked on so many interesting projects, it’s hard to choose just one! I loved seeing our Summer of Sport campaign and activation come to life – running track and all – launching a new Business Masterclass podcast or finding ways to connect residents, visitors, businesses and people who work in Wimbledon to build on an already established community.”
Tell us one unknown location (or fun fact) about Wimbledon Town Centre?
“Many know the golden statue on top of the dome of New Wimbledon Theatre as the theatre’s ‘angel,’ though it is actually Laetitia, the Roman Goddess of Gaiety. The current statue is a replacement: the original statue was removed in World War II for safekeeping; nobody has found it since. It wasn’t actually replaced until 1991, when a new statue was added during refurbishment.”
